My little ghetto mod

[T_Yamamoto]

Ripped out a 80mm fan from an old PSU, modded it to work with USB

now its screwed into the back of the computer (yes i destroyed an apple cable to do this)

 

[Nintendesert]

Lol I use old cell phone AC adapters to power fans. Good work.

 

[SparkyJJO]

And you did this... why?

 

[lxskllr]

And you did this... why?

Probably better cooling. I did it once with an old Dell I had. It was a quiet, but hot case, and after adding a bunch of extra hardware, it got way hot. Having an extra fan helped cool it down. I used a regular case fan, and hooked it to the PSU though. There wasn't room in the case, but it worked well outside.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

Lol I use old cell phone AC adapters to power fans. Good work.

Thanks, do you know if i can connect the USB to an AC adapter (like the iphone charger, and use it as a socket fan? will it not burn out?

And you did this... why?

because my case was getting a bit warm

Probably better cooling. I did it once with an old Dell I had. It was a quiet, but hot case, and after adding a bunch of extra hardware, it got way hot. Having an extra fan helped cool it down. I used a regular case fan, and hooked it to the PSU though. There wasn't room in the case, but it worked well outside.

yeah. exactly. I wish i have a 3pin to molex connector.

 

[phucheneh]

Connecting two wires to two other wires does not really constitute 'modding.' Especially when you're twist'n'taping. With duct tape.

And an 12v 80mm fan at 5v probably moves less air than a mediocre fart.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

Connecting two wires to two other wires does not really constitute 'modding.' Especially when you're twist'n'taping. With duct tape.

And an 12v 80mm fan at 5v probably moves less air than a mediocre fart.

its a ghetto mod, it counts. It's not a REAL mod.

I dont have a 3pin to molex, so I'm stuck with this.

This dell mobo doesnt have another 3pin

 

[phucheneh]

Eh, I was referring to not solder/heatshrinking. Or at least using a butt connector and some tape.

Do you already have a fan running off a molex connector? Each of those strings coming off the PSU has the connectors in parallel...it's not hard to add to one. Or cut/modify them in general, as long as you don't overload the wiring.

Black is ground, yellow is 12v.

 

[Red Squirrel]

You should also block that vent if it's not in use. I can't see the blades in the picture to tell, but I hope that's an exhaust, too.

I would have powered it from the computer's PSU and not a separate power source though. Seems kinda silly to use up a USB port for a fan when you could have fed it directly from the PSU, especially if you have an old item that has a molex connector you could just cut the wires then solder the fan to it and use that. I always cut the molex end off anything like an old fan or what not before I throw it out. they can come in handy.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

Eh, I was referring to not solder/heatshrinking. Or at least using a butt connector and some tape.

Do you already have a fan running off a molex connector? Each of those strings coming off the PSU has the connectors in parallel...it's not hard to add to one. Or cut/modify them in general, as long as you don't overload the wiring.

Black is ground, yellow is 12v.

i dont have a 3pin to molex connector

You should also block that vent if it's not in use. I can't see the blades in the picture to tell, but I hope that's an exhaust, too.

I would have powered it from the computer's PSU and not a separate power source though. Seems kinda silly to use up a USB port for a fan when you could have fed it directly from the PSU, especially if you have an old item that has a molex connector you could just cut the wires then solder the fan to it and use that. I always cut the molex end off anything like an old fan or what not before I throw it out. they can come in handy.

no soldering gear

its an exhaist

 

[phucheneh]

i dont have a 3pin to molex connector

no soldering gear

its an exhaist

...you don't have to run fans off the motherboard.

I'm gonna go with 'nevermind' and advise that you don't play with electricity if you don't know anything about it.

edit: and it appears Red's right, lol. With no fan in that upper spot, all you're doing is sucking air in above the fan and blowing it back out. The PC cooling equivalent of a vortex ring state...

 

[SparkyJJO]

Probably better cooling. I did it once with an old Dell I had. It was a quiet, but hot case, and after adding a bunch of extra hardware, it got way hot. Having an extra fan helped cool it down. I used a regular case fan, and hooked it to the PSU though. There wasn't room in the case, but it worked well outside.

Sorry, I get that part, but I mean, why do it via USB instead of just mounting the fan inside the chassis and hooking it up to one of the molex plugs? I see he answered that now. I have about a million 3 pin adapters tho and would mail him one if he wanted 😛

 

[olds]

http://www.robarnieanddawn.com/index.php?q=node/341

 

[AMCRambler]

Fire waiting to happen? Check.

Definitely ghetto.

 

[phucheneh]

Yep, a firefighter once told me that 73% of house fires are started by shorted 5v USB connections. 🙄

If it shorts, it'll kill the port. Good chance it'll take out the whole USB controller. Could concievably junk the whole motherboard.

Fire? No.

Not that I'm saying bad wiring isn't...bad. Or that the PSU harness isn't a better place to tap into. But it's pretty hard to start a fire with a PSU. I have an old Enermax 300w I use as a 5v and 12v bench tester. I have accidentally shorted the 12v rail to ground many a time. The PSU is designed to immediately shut down; wires don't even get hot. Haven't fried it yet.

Granted, a cheaper PSU might not fare so well; but it would probably just die rather than catch fire. You'd need a problem on the input (110v AC) side...and then you have them circuit breaker kajiggers in your house.

 

[zanejohnson]

should have just wired straight to the psu 5 or 12v leads...

or get a fan controller and do it right..

creating unnecessary current through the mobos and your cases usb circuitry...

 

[AMCRambler]

Yep, a firefighter once told me that 73% of house fires are started by shorted 5v USB connections. 🙄

If it shorts, it'll kill the port. Good chance it'll take out the whole USB controller. Could concievably junk the whole motherboard.

Fire? No.

Not that I'm saying bad wiring isn't...bad. Or that the PSU harness isn't a better place to tap into. But it's pretty hard to start a fire with a PSU. I have an old Enermax 300w I use as a 5v and 12v bench tester. I have accidentally shorted the 12v rail to ground many a time. The PSU is designed to immediately shut down; wires don't even get hot. Haven't fried it yet.

Granted, a cheaper PSU might not fare so well; but it would probably just die rather than catch fire. You'd need a problem on the input (110v AC) side...and then you have them circuit breaker kajiggers in your house.

Sure. Trust your Chinese made by 7 year olds power supply to function correctly and trip out. Me? I'll wire it up correctly for the extra $5 in parts. A good sized dust bunny and spark is all it takes champ.

 

[phucheneh]

I can't read for shit.

Fixed.

edit: also, better have the fire extinguisher on hand every time you plug something into a wall socket. You know, so you entire home doesn't instantly combust in a blazing dust fire. 🙄

 

[zanejohnson]

Fixed.

edit: also, better have the fire extinguisher on hand every time you plug something into a wall socket. You know, so you entire home doesn't instantly combust in a blazing dust fire. 🙄

yeah except that a wall outlet has a breaker, and this circuit, when/if shorted has potential to pop and heat up everything in line to the breaker (the wires, the mobo circuitry, the power supply, the wire between the psu and the wall...

as opposed to one breakable link at the wall outlet.

 

[phucheneh]

yeah except that a wall outlet has a breaker, and this circuit, when/if shorted has potential to pop and heat up everything in line to the breaker (the wires, the mobo circuitry, the power supply, the wire between the psu and the wall...

as opposed to one breakable link at the wall outlet.

Another swing and a miss.

He claimed a momentary arc would start a dust fire.

You know what can arc? Wall sockets as you plug/unplug something that is drawing power.

You know what a lot of outlets have on them? Dust.

And there's no 'breakable link' AT your wall outlet. And no, your motherboard is not going to catch fire from a short.

Do me a favor: you and Rambler clean all the dust out from between your ears and mail it to me; then I'll cover an old mobo with it, power it up, and short out a USB port to satisfy you.

Again: OP's 'mod' is dumb. But there is no correlation between his mod and spontaneous fire. You do not understand the concept of protected circuitry. Or what burns readily.

 

[zanejohnson]

Another swing and a miss.

He claimed a momentary arc would start a dust fire.

You know what can arc? Wall sockets as you plug/unplug something that is drawing power.

You know what a lot of outlets have on them? Dust.

And there's no 'breakable link' AT your wall outlet. And no, your motherboard is not going to catch fire from a short.

Do me a favor: you and Rambler clean all the dust out from between your ears and mail it to me; then I'll cover an old mobo with it, power it up, and short out a USB port to satisfy you.

Again: OP's 'mod' is dumb. But there is no correlation between his mod and spontaneous fire. You do not understand the concept of protected circuitry. Or what burns readily.

your arguing that a fan plugged into a usb port, wires spliced, duct tape applyed... is safer than the right way..

 

[zanejohnson]

you ever seen a usb port burn up? i have, and there was smoke.. where there is smoke there is fire, all it would take after that is cable or anything else flammable in the right place at the right time and you got a fire..

 

[spaceman]

can u roll a tight joint
nice perfect cylinder?

 

[T_Yamamoto]

...you don't have to run fans off the motherboard.

I'm gonna go with 'nevermind' and advise that you don't play with electricity if you don't know anything about it.

edit: and it appears Red's right, lol. With no fan in that upper spot, all you're doing is sucking air in above the fan and blowing it back out. The PC cooling equivalent of a vortex ring state...

Im getting a proper 3pin to molex

Sorry, I get that part, but I mean, why do it via USB instead of just mounting the fan inside the chassis and hooking it up to one of the molex plugs? I see he answered that now. I have about a million 3 pin adapters tho and would mail him one if he wanted 😛

I don't have a 3pin to molex

I don't have soldering gear.

I'm getting one.

Fire waiting to happen? Check.

Definitely ghetto.

Yeah provavly

Sure. Trust your Chinese made by 7 year olds power supply to function correctly and trip out. Me? I'll wire it up correctly for the extra $5 in parts. A good sized dust bunny and spark is all it takes champ.

I clean the back out a lot.

Fixed.

edit: also, better have the fire extinguisher on hand every time you plug something into a wall socket. You know, so you entire home doesn't instantly combust in a blazing dust fire. 🙄

I have an extention cord that has multiple sockets on them. Two monitors, the PSU power, and a tablet recharger is hooked up to 4 of the 5 sockets 😛

yeah except that a wall outlet has a breaker, and this circuit, when/if shorted has potential to pop and heat up everything in line to the breaker (the wires, the mobo circuitry, the power supply, the wire between the psu and the wall...

as opposed to one breakable link at the wall outlet.

Oh well. Price to pay for being ghetto

 

[Howard]

fuckin thread is dumb as shit. good job guys